Man busting Brighton-area railroad lights

Published
12:00 am CST, Wednesday, February 11, 2015

BRIGHTON — At least one man evidently has a beef with railroad crossing warning lights north of Brighton.

Macoupin County Sheriff Shawn Kahl reported Wednesday that six of the large, blinking red bulbs have been busted out in recent weeks, and authorities are looking for those responsible. Authorities believe a hatchet or other type of hammer device was used.

Kahl said he’s “assuming” there is more than one person involved. Surveillance video obtained by the sheriff’s department shows what appears to be a slender white male with a beard exiting and entering the passenger side of a late model GMC or Chevy pickup truck with a crew cab.

The real mystery, said Kahl, is motive.

“We really have no idea,” he said. “We’re baffled. Apparently this guy has something against the railroad. Maybe he was fired, but we’re not sure what it is at this point.”

He added that his department is assisting the Illinois Railroad Police Department. The investigation will include looking through railroad employment records and interviewing railroad officials to uncover any possible disgruntled former or current employees.

Kahl said the vandalism also poses a potential danger to drivers. With lights knocked out, especially at night in rural areas, it’s possible a driver wouldn’t be alerted to an incoming train.

“That’s really the main reason we want to catch this guy,” Kahl said. “It’s a real safety concern.”

The lights aren’t cheap. Kahl said several thousand dollars worth of damage has been done, and criminal charges would be on the felony level.

Anyone with information related to these incidents is encouraged to call the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department, 217-854-3135.